Oikyafront’s decision on polls participation Sunday

Dr Kamal Hossain led-Jatiya Oikyafront will unveil its decision on joining or boycotting the 11th parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Dr Kamal Hossain will announce the decision at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club at 1pm, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Talking to reporters at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office after a meeting of the Oikyafront, he said, "BNP standing committee and 20-party leaders had meetings before the Jatiya Oikyafront's one to decide about election participation. After a long discussion, we've taken a decision that Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain will inform the nation about our decision through a press conference."

Earlier, the BNP standing committee members followed by 20-party leaders held the meeting at the same venue.

After the meeting of the 20-party alliance, LDP president Oli Ahmed said their alliance will come up with its final decision on joining the 11th parliamentary elections within a day or two.

"We discussed the election issue and the country's overall situation. We didn't take the final decision yet whether we'll participate in the election or boycott it. Our alliance's main partner BNP will make the decision public after discussion with Jatiya Oikyafront within a day or two," he added.

Oil said their alliance is now giving its main focus on the release of their leader Khaleda Zia. "She'll have to be freed to ensure an election atmosphere."

Accusing the government of arresting the leaders and activists of the 20-party alliance, he said a level-playing field is yet to be created.

Replying to a question, Oli said the registered political parties under the 20-party will write letters to the Election Commission on Sunday informing it that they may contest the polls either with their own election symbols or with BNP's election symbol if they decide to participate in the election.

He, however, said his party, LDP, will contest the election with its own symbol if they finally join it.

Top leaders of the 20-party alliance joined the hour-long meeting that began around 6:15pm.

Earlier, BNP standing committee members held a meeting there and discussed the election issues.

After the meeting with the 20-party, top leaders of the Jatiya Oikyafront also sat in the meeting with the BNP senior leaders.

However, Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain could not join the meeting due to his illness.

On Thursday evening, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda in a televised address to the nation announced the schedule for the next general election.

As per the schedule, the 11th parliamentary elections will be held on December 23 (Sunday) while the last date for submitting nomination papers is November 19, the date for scrutinising nomination papers is November 22 and the last date for the withdrawal of nomination papers is November 29.

Polls schedule

The 11th parliamentary election will be held on December 23, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced on Thursday.

According to the schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers for candidacy is November 19. The returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on November 22 while the last date for withdrawing candidacy is November 29.